The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution requesting the head of the Department of Social Services and Development in Bacolod City to submit pertinent documents related to the alleged purchase of textbooks, its author, Bacolod Councilor Catalino Alisbo, said yesterday.

Alisbo said a news report claimed that the city government purchased P3 million worth of textbooks and the name of DSSD head Sally Abelarde had been mentioned. He said that although he has not received any complaint on the matter, he wants the SP to look into it to put an end to the issue.

Councilor Alex Paglumotan said that since they have no proof that there was such a transaction, they have proposed that Councilor Homer Bais, who chairs the Committee on Social Services, spearhead another investigation.

Bais said there were reports linking the cash advance of Abelarde to the purchase of the textbooks. He said he clarified to the body that the cash advance of Abelarde was used for calamity-related expenses and this has already been liquidated.

Documents obtained by the media listing unliquidated cash advances of Bacolod City officers and employees amounting to about P18.9 million showed Abelarde incurring a cash advance of P3.9 million.

City Accountant Ed Ravena had said the documents dated Nov. 30, 2007 were not official since they did not bear his signature and that most of the accounts had already been settled.

The cash advance of Abelarde, which had been liquidated as of Dec. 30, 2007, involves financial aid given by the city to victims of the December 2006 typhoon, he added.

There were also allegations that the winning bidder is the wife of the contractor of the government center project, Bais said. However, it was not cited whether there was irregularity in the transaction, he said.*CGS

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